Taihan deal adds cable-lay capacity in Korean offshore wind market

The company has acquired the cable installation vessel not long after it acquired Palos, another cable-lay vessel, which is currently the only domestically-owned cable-lay vessel in the Korean offshore wind market. The newly acquired vessel is capable of loading up to 7,000 tonnes of submarine cable in a single operation.

The acquisition has strengthened Taihan’s capabilities in inter-array and export cable installation. The company said the acquisition and combination of Palos and Skandi Connector “has established a dual-track installation system that enables optimal vessel deployment depending on project characteristics and installation environments.”

Taihan is also investing heavily in facilites for the production of subsea cables for the offshore wind sector. In September 2025, it held a a groundbreaking ceremony for a new submarine cable plant.

Skandi Connector is a high-specification cable-lay vessel designed by Damen. The DP2 vessel has completed 27 projects, installing approximately 1,300 km of cable. Its flat-bottom hull enables operation in shallow water, making it particularly suited for Korea’s coastal areas such as the West Sea, where tidal currents are strong and water depths relatively shallow. Self-propelled, with a speed of up to 12 knots, it provides superior operational capability to cable-laying barges, which require the assistance of tugs.

“Through this acquisition, Taihan has established a CLV fleet capable of covering the full spectrum of submarine cable installation. This strengthens its vertically integrated system, enabling in-house execution of the entire value chain from design and manufacturing to transportation and installation,” the company said. “In particular, synergies with its submarine cable installation subsidiary, Taihan Ocean Works, are expected to enhance turnkey competitiveness and expand project execution capabilities.”

The company said the investment in the vessel “is particularly significant amid surging global demand for cable-laying vessels, driven by the expansion of offshore wind and increased cross-border grid investments. 

“By securing a high-spec vessel available for immediate deployment instead of a newbuild, Taihan has improved responsiveness and operational capability while proactively addressing supply-demand imbalances in installation vessels.” Taihan noted that the acquisition is also expected to reduce reliance on foreign vessels. 

A company official said, “With the additional cable-lay vessel, we are capable of executing offshore wind projects and long-distance interconnections simultaneously.”

DOF said the vessel is due to be delivered to its new owner in Q3 2026. It said the disposal is in line with its long-term strategy of focusing on its core offering of integrated subsea services.